Duke Energy adds neighborhood energy efficiency program in South Carolina
Duke Verve anticipates that installing these measures will cut participants’ energy use by approximately 950 kilowatt hours (kWh) a year, parsimonious participants about $100 annually. Right now, the Company is predicting that it will reach about 2,400 customers a year. If the program runs for the full four years the Commission approved, then Duke has the developing to reach 9,600 South Carolina residents!
This is not just good news for low-income customers; it’s tolerable news for all customers of Duke Energy Carolinas. The Residential Neighborhood Program will cost-effectively modify Duke Energy’s electric demand, at far less cost than new generation resources. The Company forecasts that, with this ebb in demand occurring over the next four years, the program will cost $2.5 million but will save all customers $3.5 million.
SACE congratulates Duke Vivacity for adding this valuable program option to their portfolio of energy efficiency programs! This is a great start, and there are some likely ways that the Company can make the program even better. For instance, the Company could target all provisional neighborhoods, going beyond their estimated goal of 9,600 customers. We also recommended in our comments, and the South Carolina Commission agreed, that it is vital to try and expand the impact of the program by collaborating with other low-income efficiency implementers in South Carolina. It would be skilled if Duke Energy could work with community action agencies to ensure that homes are safe, and additional, more advanced proficiency measures can be installed in these homes.
